Why Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Death Matters Here

Written By: advantage - Date published: 8:28 am, September 20th, 2020 - 27 comments
Categories: feminism, helen clark, jacinda ardern, labour, us politics - Tags:

The death of United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a signal of a heroism of endurance and sustained good judgement.

When she began in law, women were strictly forbidden from employment in the U.S. Attorney’s Office. She explains why here.

She was also asked often how many women would be enough women on the U.S. Supreme Court, and her answer was: “When there are nine”. That’s the kind of boldness that inspired a whole new generation in the United States and across English-speaking legal systems to appreciate her in the documentary RBG:

RBG’s death was an important event for women here because it happened on the anniversary of Women’s Suffrage Day 126 years ago. On this day in New Zealand we celebrate women being able to vote, the women who won further victories of political liberation, and many got together to recount our female heroes enabled by that right and all those rights that followed.

While it is now unremarkable that Labour would have 50% of women in its caucus, or its Cabinet, who can forget the media hysteria about Labour seeking to tilt gender representation towards equalisation. The shouts about the “Man Ban” right across the media, as in Newshub at the time.

Courageous as he was not, Labour leader at the time David Shearer walked it back.

I think there were more Davids in the 2013 Labour shadow Cabinet than there were women. The battle over equal representation was hard fought in the back rooms and subcommittees, for many years. And one of those young activists now runs the country: Jacinda Ardern.

Now 7 years later in 2020 it is quite unremarkable that our two main political parties are for the first time since 1998 being led by women. It hasn’t even been remarked in the media that the Auckland Central seat contest guarantees that one of three women will get it.

It gets little mention in 2018 that for the first time in our history 50% of our civil service heads were women.

Also that positions held on public sector Boards are heading towards being equally men and women.

That goal has now been achieved under Prime Minister Ardern’s leadership, several years earlier than planned.

Also unremarkable that the Prime Minister, Opposition leader, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Governor General are now all women. In the case of Justice Winkelman, she is relatively young and hence has a good chance at leading our Supreme Court for a good decade or more to come (compulsorily retires at 70).

After Hilary Clinton came close but failed to win the 2016 United States presidency, a female Vice President who may also run the U.S. Senate majority barely remarked as to her gender, though the amount of power she would jointly wield has been.

Justice Ginsburg’s death is a sign that there is no inevitability to ever-expanding liberty and representation for women. But it is also a sign that it takes often the dedication of one’s full life to achieve change for good, and in the face of retrograde forces to dismantle progress it may take until right until one’s death to hold such political entropy at bay. I don’t see that kind of heroism very often.

While RBG was hired as a moderate with strong public sector and gender activist credentials by President Clinton, since that time the makeup of the Supreme Court has tilted stronger and stronger in the more conservative majority. So the opportunity to replace her is a massive ideological axis upon which the future progressive makeup of their Supreme Court will tilt.

In New Zealand our first elected female Prime Minister, Helen Clark, was the leader who redeemed social democracy as a viable force within New Zealand. Else we could have the absurdly timid Phil Goff as Prime Minister right now, or worse the feckless David Shearer.

It was Helen Clark (with her most able Cabinet) who renewed our social cohesion, laying the groundwork for our current Prime Minister to draw on that social democratic cohesion in a time of real crisis and intervene in our society and in our economy as we have not seen in living memory. Clark was the necessary precedent for Ardern’s interventions.

Indeed while the legacy of John Key will be as a weak banker and weaker Prime Minister, Helen Clark’s legacy in the next five years will be as the one who restored the idea of truth resting in science by getting to the source of the Covid-19 outbreak through the World Health Organisation investigation.

In New Zealand’s last forty years it has been female Labour Prime Ministers alone that have secured progressive gains for the left and for us all, and massively expanded the extent and good of the state to sustain our cohesion. Clearly, if you want more of that, you need to vote for Jacinda Ardern’s Labour Party in four weeks time.

I have not much doubt that we will look back even after Labour’s second term and recognise Jacinda Ardern as the hero to our country that she is. Like Justice Ginsburg, I hope she serves as our leader for many years and, in time, I hope an even better Labour woman will replace her.

27 comments on “Why Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Death Matters Here ”

Comments are now closed

AB 1

20 September 2020 at 11:41 am

Yes to that with a couple of caveats:
- One wonders what Bader Ginsburg was thinking by not resigning during Obama's 2nd term so she could be replaced with another liberal judge.
- we shoudn't imagine that if our elites are gender-balanced, then all is sweetness and light. If 5% of people own 80% of everything, it is not sufficient that 50% of that 5% are women
- Draco T Bastard 1.1
  
  20 September 2020 at 1:29 pm
  
  we shoudn't imagine that if our elites are gender-balanced, then all is sweetness and light. If 5% of people own 80% of everything, it is not sufficient that 50% of that 5% are women
  
  QFT
  
  And Labour's caucus may have 50% of women it's pretty much a guarantee that they're all in that 5%.
- McFlock 1.2
  
  20 September 2020 at 2:09 pm
  
  Seriously? Maybe she was thinking that the orange oaf didn't have a chance, and that a republican senate might not pick the best candidate at any rate?
  - mpledger 1.2.1
    
    21 September 2020 at 10:50 am
    
    Yea, she was holding our for a Dem majority senate and Dem President… and it looks like it may be on the cards … so she only missed by a few months.
  - AB 1.2.2
    
    21 September 2020 at 1:07 pm
    
    Yeah – that's possible and human enough to be understandable. Mortality doesn't always play ball though, and maybe having certainty about something less than perfect, is wiser than taking the risk of something far worse.
    - McFlock 1.2.2.1
      
      21 September 2020 at 1:25 pm
      
      Dunno that anyone McConnell would let through would ever be so good as merely "less than perfect".
      
      Although it looks like dolt45's list was written by Pence. Gilead, here they come.
      - SPC 1.2.2.1.1
        
        21 September 2020 at 1:41 pm
        
        It's worse than Gilead, SCOTUS is now set to repeal Obamacare and enable each red state to ~~re-enact white voter preference rules~~ write election laws that suit the GOP.
        
        McFlock 1.2.2.1.1.1
        
        21 September 2020 at 1:53 pm
        
        I'm noy entirely sure that ditching obamacare is worse than gilead.
        
        Although the voter suppression is heading in the far-right direction. But also Roe v. Wade will be out. And if the dems don't get at least the senate, the New Deal might be out, too.
        
        SPC …
        
        21 September 2020 at 2:12 pm
        
        It's worse, because in addition to the power over women entailed in Gilead (patriarchal Christian dominionism) there is also the loss of health care cover to millions.
        
        The permanent control of the electoral college through voter suppression is akin to a 1000 year reich for the white race of the new world.
        
        McFlock …
        
        21 September 2020 at 2:47 pm
        
        Yeah, but Gilead had the wall.
JanM 2

20 September 2020 at 12:09 pm

"In New Zealand’s last forty years it has been female Labour Prime Ministers alone that have secured progressive gains for the left and for us all, and massively expanded the extent and good of the state to sustain our cohesion"

Ahem – it was the regressive Foreshore and Seabed legislation under Helen Clark that stopped me voting Labour until recently. I would dispute that that was a "gain for us all" .
- Incognito 2.1
  
  20 September 2020 at 9:01 pm
  
  Maybe Ad was referring to other gains such as NZ Super and KiwiSaver, for example. Just guessing, of course 🙂
Peter 3

20 September 2020 at 4:24 pm

Another way it matters here are the reflections it casts on the way our world operates politically now.

The eulogies will come about the significance of Ginsburg's contribution to the world and what they mean for us 'going forward.'

The day to day reality sees her and what she signifies as only flotsam and jetsam in the political sewer that is the United States. You can burn the Picassos to keep yourself warm, smash the Michelangelo's to pieces to use as doorstops.

The values and virtues claimed to be sacred over years are mere detritus, TV ads. And we copy America.
Stuart Munro 4

20 September 2020 at 7:23 pm

Helen Clark, was the leader who redeemed social democracy as a viable force within New Zealand.

Oh is that what she did? Looked to me like she choked.
- Chris 4.1
  
  21 September 2020 at 11:27 am
  
  If you look at what she did to social welfare benefits you'd think she was a nat. But then Labour in opposition voted with the nats on some of the nastier Key/Bennett welfare changes, too, so nothing that surprising, really.
  - Stuart Munro 4.1.1
    
    21 September 2020 at 11:38 am
    
    I remember getting a pledge card with none of the things we needed on it.
    - Chris 4.1.1.1
      
      21 September 2020 at 11:51 am
      
      Labour's been in denial since 1991. It says one thing, nothing changes, but somehow we still believe we're getting closer to them agreeing to fix things. Even now Ardern's government adopted the nats' 2018 welfare Bill and passed it as its own even though it's far from 'policy neutral' as the nats touted it, and is ten times more complicated than the 1964 Act, also touted by the nats as a 'simplification'. And how many of WEAG's recommendations have been adopted?
      - SPC 4.1.1.1.1
        
        21 September 2020 at 11:55 am
        
        There has been a recent surge in WEAG recommendation adoptions in the Labour policy list for the 2020-2023 term.
SPC 5

20 September 2020 at 7:30 pm

~~sustained good judgement.~~

The wise option was to retire while Obama was POTUS.

The Democrats will now have to go big to save US democracy.
1. Win control of the Senate and presidency this election
2. Appoint extra members to the Supreme Court (starting with Garland).
If they do not, then both women and fair elections are at risk in red states.
Incognito 6

20 September 2020 at 9:04 pm

Excellent post although not quite what I was expecting given the title; I feared it was going to be all US this and Trump that.
vto 7

21 September 2020 at 8:13 am

Not trying to upset this good post…. but it seems to me that the history of the vote in New Zealand is distorted by the exclusive celebration of women getting the vote.

A large and forgotten element of that history is that it was not so much a gender issue as a class issue.

Men only received suffrage 14 years earlier than women. Last year was 140 years since men received the vote, yet it passed in NZ with nary a mention.

As Mihinarangi Forbes said on the tele last night – we in NZ seem to be very selective about which parts of our history we choose to highlight.
- RedLogix 7.1
  
  22 September 2020 at 2:59 am
  
  Or the fact that Maori males obtained suffrage before most European men even:
  
  The wars of the 1860s fuelled debate about Māori representation, and in 1867 four parliamentary seats were set up specifically for Māori. As a result of this legislation, Māori men achieved universal suffrage 12 years before European men.
Tiger Mountain 8

21 September 2020 at 11:27 am

The Ginsburg section of this post would be hard to fault, but seeking reflected glory for NZ Labour, spare us.

Clark, really–“Jobs jolt” where beneficiaries were geographically constrained at pain of losing their payments? Helen has a good legacy in some respects but always supported the neo liberal Parliamentary consensus that enforces inequality.

Bonus comment: Paid Parental Leave and Kiwibank…thanks Alliance.
UncookedSelachimorpha 9

21 September 2020 at 1:38 pm

I found this interesting from The Young Turks, "5 Ways Democrats Can Stop GOP From Filling Ruth Bader Ginsburg Seat". Some actual options.
UncookedSelachimorpha 10

21 September 2020 at 1:43 pm

I might be over-egging it, but I fear the replacement of RBG could prove to be a significant step in the USA's descent to failed-statedom, fascism, the realisation of The Handmaids Tale and possibly even civil war.
- SPC 10.1
  
  21 September 2020 at 1:47 pm
  
  And electing Biden will not be enough.
  
  He would just accept Trump replacing RBG before the election or pre inauguration.
  
  When he should warn it would lead to Democrats appointing two extra members to the Court – one being Garland plus one other to balance out the Gorsuch appointment.
- PsyclingLeft.Always 10.2
  
  27 September 2020 at 5:41 pm
  
  Well….Trumps done it.
  
  https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/427013/donald-trump-nominates-amy-coney-barrett-as-supreme-court-justice
  
  Re the civil war? Very worrying seeing the armed militias openly marching in US towns/cities !

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Bryce Edwards: How serious is an MP’s failure to declare $178k in donations?
It’s being explained as an “inadvertent error”. However, National MP David MacLeod’s excuse for failing to disclose $178,000 in donations for his election campaign last year is not necessarily enough to prevent some serious consequences. A Police investigation is now likely, and the result of his non-disclosure could even see ...
Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
4 days ago

Get your story straight, buddy
The relentless drone coming out of the Prime Minister and his deputy for a million days now has been that the last government was just hosing money all over the show and now at last the grownups are in charge and shutting that drunken sailor stuff down. There is a word ...
More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
4 days ago

A govt plane is headed for New Caledonia – here’s hoping the Kiwis stranded there get better ser...
Buzz from the Beehive Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed a New Zealand Government plane will head to riot-torn New Caledonia in the next hour in the first in a series of proposed flights to begin bringing New Zealanders home. Today’s flight will carry around 50 passengers with the most ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
4 days ago

Who is David MacLeod?
Precious declaration saysYours is yours and mine you leave alone nowPrecious declaration saysI believe all hope is dead no longerTick tick tick Boom!Unexploded ordnance. A veritable minefield. A National caucus with a large number of unknowns, candidates who perhaps received little in the way of vetting as the party jumped ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
4 days ago

The Four Knights
Rex Ahdar writes – The Rt Hon Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, likes to trace his political lineage back to the pioneers of parliamentary Maoridom. I will refer to these as the ‘big four’ or better still, the Four Knights. Just as ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
4 days ago

Could Willie Jackson be the populist leader that Labour need?
Bryce Edwards writes – Willie Jackson will participate in the prestigious Oxford Union debate on Thursday, following in David Lange’s footsteps. Coincidentally, Jackson has also followed Lange’s footsteps by living in his old home in South Auckland. And like Lange, Jackson might be the sort of loud-mouth scrapper ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
4 days ago

Unacceptable
That is the only way to describe an MP "forgetting" to declare $178,000 in donations. The amount of money involved - more than five times the candidate spending cap, and two and a half times the median income - is boggling. How do you just "forget" that amount of money? ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
4 days ago

Justice for Gaza!
It finally happened: the International Criminal Court prosecutor is seeking an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes in Gaza: The chief prosecutor of the international criminal court has said he is seeking arrest warrants for senior Hamas and Israeli officials for war crimes and ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
4 days ago

Media Link: AVFA on the implications of US elections.
In this week’s “A View from Afar” podcast Selwyn Manning and spoke about the upcoming US elections and what the possibility of another Trump presidency means for the US role in world affairs. We also spoke about the problems Joe … Continue reading → ...
KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
4 days ago

Web of Chaos, Secret Dolphins & Monster Truck Madness
Hi,Two years ago I briefly featured in Justin Pemberton’s Web of Chaos documentary, which touched on things like QAnon during the pandemic.I mostly prattled on about how intertwined conspiracy narratives are with Evangelical Christian thinking, something Webworm’s explored in the past.(The doc is available on TVNZ+, if you’re not in ...
David FarrierBy David Farrier
4 days ago

How Government’s road obsession is ruining Auckland’s transport plans
“TL;DR: The reality is that Central Government’s transport policy and direction makes zero sense for Auckland, and if the draft GPS doesn’t change from its original form, then Auckland will be on a collision course with Wellington.” Auckland’s draft Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) 2024 is now out for consultation, ...
Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
4 days ago

Bernard’s Dawn Chorus and pick ‘n’ mix for Tuesday, May 21
The Government is leaving the entire construction sector and the community housing sector in limbo. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government released the long-awaited Bill English-led review of Kāinga Ora yesterday, but delayed key decisions on its build plan and how to help community housing providers (CHPs) build ...
The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
4 days ago

Climate change is affecting mental health literally everywhere
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Daisy Simmons Farmers who can’t sleep, worrying they’ll lose everything amid increasing drought. Youth struggling with depression over a future that feels hopeless. Indigenous people grief-stricken over devastated ecosystems. For all these people and more, climate change is taking a clear toll ...
Skeptical Science
4 days ago

The Ambassador and Luxon – eye to eye
New Zealand’s relationship with China is becoming harder to define, and with that comes a worry that a deteriorating political relationship could spill over into the economic relationship. It is about more than whether New Zealand will join Pillar Two of Aukus, though the Chinese Ambassador, more or less, suggested ...
PolitikBy Richard Harman
4 days ago

Fast track to environmental degradation
Been hoping we would see something like this from Sir Geoffrey Palmer. This is excellent.The present Bill goes further than the National Development Act 1979 in stripping away procedures designed to ensure that environmental issues are properly considered. The 1979 approach was not acceptable then and this present approach is ...
More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
5 days ago

Leading Labour Off The Big Rock Candy Mountain.
He’s Got The Moxie: Only Willie Jackson possesses the credentials to meld together a new Labour message that is, at one and the same moment, staunchly working-class, union-friendly, and which speaks to the hundreds-of-thousands of urban Māori untethered to the neo-tribal capitalist elites of the Iwi Leaders Forum.IT’S ONE OF THE ...
Bowalley Road
5 days ago

Priority is given to powerlines – govt strikes another blow for the economy while Jones fends off ...
Tree-huggers may well accuse the Government of giving them the fingers, after Energy Minister Simeon Brown announced new measures to protect powerlines from trees, rather than measures to protect trees from powerlines. It can be no coincidence, surely, that this has been announced at the same as Fisheries Minister Shane Jones ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
5 days ago

Climate Change: The question we need to be asking
One of National's first actions in government was to dismantle climate change policy, scrapping the clean car discount and overturning the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry, which had given us Aotearoa's biggest-ever emissions reduction. But there's an obvious problem: we needed those emissions reductions to meet our carbon budgets: ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
5 days ago

Bryce Edwards: Could Willie Jackson be the populist leader that Labour need?
Willie Jackson will participate in the prestigious Oxford Union debate on Thursday, following in David Lange’s footsteps. Coincidentally, Jackson has also followed Lange’s footsteps by living in his old home in South Auckland. And like Lange, Jackson might be the sort of loud-mouth scrapper who could take over the Labour ...
Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
5 days ago

The Tikanga challenge for law schools, the rule of law – and Parliament
Barrister Gary Judd KC’s complaint to the Regulatory Review Committee has sparked a fierce debate about the place of tikanga Māori – or Māori customs, values and spiritual beliefs – in the law.Judd opposes the New Zealand Council of Legal Education’s plans to make teaching tikanga compulsory in the legal curriculum.AUT ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
5 days ago

The Huge Potential Benefits of Charter Schools
Alwyn Poole writes – In New Zealand we have approximately 460 high schools. The gaps between the schools that produce the best results for students and those at the other end of the spectrum are enormous.In terms of the data for their leavers, the top 30 schools have ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
5 days ago

Can Shane Jones be trusted in making Fast-track decisions?
Bryce Edwards writes – New Zealand First Cabinet Minister Shane Jones has become the best advertisement against the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill. In selling the radical new resource consenting processes, in which ministers can green light any mine, dam, or other major development, Jones seems to be ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
5 days ago

Thinking About The Property Rights In Resource Decisions As Well As Transaction Costs
Brian Easton writes – The Fast-Track Approvals Bill enables cabinet ministers to circumvent key environmental planning and protection processes for infrastructure projects. Its difficulties have been well canvassed. This column suggests a different way of thinking about the proposal. I am ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
5 days ago

Gordon Campbell On Israel’s Political Split, And The New Caledonia Crisis
The split opening up in Israel’s “War Cabinet” is not just between PM Benjamin Netanyahu and his long-term rival Benny Gantz. It is actually a three-way split, set in motion by Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. It was Gallant’s open criticism of Netanyahu that finally flushed Gantz out into the open. ...
Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
5 days ago

After much debate, the Auckland Future Fund was approved. So what should it be used for?
On Thursday 17 May, the Mayoral Proposal for Auckland’s Long Term Plan 2024-2034 was passed by Auckland Council, 20 to 1. It is set to be formally adopted by the Governing Body at its June 27th meeting. The entire process took 8 hours, with the vast majority of that time ...
Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
5 days ago

New Zealand First Member’s Bill to protect Freedom of Speech
Today New Zealand First will introduce a Member’s Bill that will protect New Zealanders' right of free speech. The “Protection of Freedom of Expression Bill” will ensure that no organisation or individual, when acting within the law, is unreasonably denied use of a public venue for an organised event or ...
NZ First Press Release
24 hours ago

Government trying to rush Māori wards legislation through without public say
The Green Party unequivocally condemns the governing parties’ attempts to limit the public’s say on the controversial Māori wards legislation, after the select committee considering the legislation set a deadline for submissions of just five days. ...
Greens
1 day ago

Release: Statement from housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty
“Today it sounds like the Minister for Housing and his associate are announcing 500 homes that already exist,” Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Labour Blog
1 day ago

Release: Mining on conservation land will take NZ backwards
Shane Jones’s speech today demonstrates once again that he will put his political theatrics ahead of New Zealand’s workers and their futures. ...
Labour Blog
1 day ago

Release: Disabled children latest to lose access to funding
Disabled children and families nationwide have recently found out they’re no longer able to use disability support funding for programmes during school hours in another quiet update from the Government. ...
Labour Blog
1 day ago

Coalition of coal will prove catastrophic for climate
The Government’s plans to ramp up coal mining in the heat of a climate crisis will see our chances of a liveable future melt away. ...
Greens
2 days ago

Aotearoa must follow in the footsteps of countries recognising Palestinian statehood
The Green Party is calling on the Government to follow in the footsteps of Ireland, Spain and Norway in recognising Palestinian statehood. ...
Greens
2 days ago

Release: Time to make stalking a crime
Following a horrific case of stalking that ended in tragedy, Labour’s police spokesperson Ginny Andersen has drafted a bill that would add stalking to the Crimes Act. ...
Labour Blog
3 days ago

$24 million for free mental health counselling for young kiwis
The Rt Hon Winston Peters, joined by Mike King, has announced $24 million over four years for the ‘I Am Hope Foundation’, and will provide young people aged between 5 to 25 years with free mental health counselling services. This funding will help I Am Hope’s ‘Gumboot Friday’ initiative give ...
NZ First Press Release
3 days ago

Release: Strong support for disability funding
Two thirds of Kiwis in a new poll want funding flexibility reinstated for disabled people and carers. ...
Labour Blog
3 days ago

Petition launched to save Māori babies and their right to be with whakapapa
Te Pāti Māori have launched a petition to stop the repeal of Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act. This announcement comes prior to the first reading of the Section 7AA repeal bill in Parliament today. “Section 7AA forces the Government to adhere to Te Tiriti o Waitangi with respect ...
Māori Party
4 days ago

Government introduces Bill to roll back Māori Wards
The Green Party has sounded the alarm over the Government’s introduction of legislation to remove Māori Wards and roll back years of progress. ...
Greens
4 days ago

Release: Pre-Budget Speech: Barbara Edmonds
...
Labour Blog
4 days ago

Release: Another announcement, still no funding for more public houses
The Government has yet again failed to do the one thing that needs to happen to ensure houses can be built – commit to ongoing funding, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Labour Blog
4 days ago

Government must build more public houses, not find excuses to sell them
The Green Party says the Government must use the review of Kāinga Ora as a platform to build more homes, not an excuse to sell them off. ...
Greens
5 days ago

Government must build more public houses, not find excuses to sell them
The Green Party says the Government must use the review of Kāinga Ora as a platform to build more homes, not an excuse to sell them off. ...
Greens
5 days ago

Release: Treasury advice show flaws in Fast Track Approvals Bill
Treasury officials have outlined many ways in which the Fast Track Approvals Bill is deeply flawed, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking says. ...
Labour Blog
5 days ago

State of the Planet speeches, 2024
Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick used this year's State of the Planet to call on the Government to prioritise people and planet as the delivery of the Budget approaches. A full transcript of their speeches can be found below. ...
Greens
6 days ago

State of the Planet: Government must be guided by values not money
Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick have used their State of the Planet speeches to challenge the Government to prioritise people and planet over profit as the delivery of the Budget approaches. ...
Greens
6 days ago

Release: Chris Hipkins’ speech: New Zealand in 2040 – A vision worth fighting for
...
Labour Blog
7 days ago

Release: 4,500 jobs lost – and counting
More than 4,500 jobs are set to go as the National Government continues its deep cuts to services to pay for irresponsible and ill-timed tax cuts. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

No-cause evictions leave no hope for renters
The Government’s introduction of legislation that would enable landlords to end tenancies with no reason marks a dark day for the 1.4 million people who rent their home in Aotearoa. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Release: National winding back mental health work
The Minister for Mental Health has found the Suicide Prevention Office and mental health support for 111 calls slipping through his fingers, says Labour spokesperson for Mental Health Ingrid Leary. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Government ignorant of evidence in neglect of tamariki
Today’s justification from the Minister for Children for scrapping protections for our tamariki was either a case of ignorance or deliberate deception. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Gang policy setting communities up for failure
The Green Party says the Government’s misguided policy on gangs will fail, following the announcement of the establishment of a national gang unit and district gang disruption units to target gang activities. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Statement from police spokesperson Ginny Andersen
“With Police pay negotiations still unresolved after six months in Government, Mark Mitchell has today rolled the Commissioner out for a rebrand of their approach to gang crime,” Labour police spokesperson Ginny Andersen said. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Charter schools not a serious solution
We need serious investment and solutions into our education system, not a vanity project from David Seymour. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Ideological charter schools won’t increase achievement
The Government bringing back 50 charter schools will not increase achievement and is a distraction from the core mission of the education system, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: Visas needed for Palestinians with family in New Zealand
The Government must show some compassion and create a special visa to allow Palestinians with family in New Zealand to be reunited with them here. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: Govt’s stubbornness will harm Māori children
Government has remained stubborn and is ramming its Bill into the House today, which the Waitangi Tribunal has said will hurt vulnerable children. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

‘Lucky dip’ process too casual for hearing critical submissions on Fast Track approvals bill
Te Pāti Māori is showing extreme concern over the Environment Select Committees adoption of a lucky dip draw to determine hearings for the Fast Track Approvals bill. Of the 27,000 submissions, 2,900 requested to present. All organisations will be heard; however, the remaining 2,350 submitters will be subject to a ...
Māori Party
2 weeks ago

New Zealand First Member’s Bill to protect women’s spaces
Today New Zealand First will introduce a Member’s Bill that will protect women’s spaces. The ‘Fair Access to Bathrooms Bill’ will require, primarily in the interest and safety of women and girls, that all new non-domestic publicly accessible buildings provide separate, clearly demarcated, unisex and single sex bathrooms. This Bill ...
NZ First Press Release
2 weeks ago

Release: Support for climate adaptation inquiry
Labour supports a Notice of Motion in the House today to move the Finance and Expenditure Committee to conduct an inquiry on climate adaptation. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Greens welcome cross-party approach to climate adaptation
The Green Party is welcoming Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ continuation of Hon. James Shaw’s cross-party work on climate adaptation, now in the form of a Finance and Expenditure Committee Inquiry. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Sexual violence prevention among hundreds of job cuts at ACC
The National Government plans to cut 390 jobs at ACC, including roles in the areas of prevention of sexual violence, road safety and workplace safety. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Government shows allergy to evidence in benefits crackdown
The Government has been caught in opposition to evidence once again as it looks to usher in tried, tested and failed work seminar obligations for job-seeking beneficiaries. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Minister of Finance reheats austerity politics
This morning’s pre-Budget speech from the Minister of Finance offered no “meaningful” news on the Government’s trickle-down economics based plans. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

A win for Wellington – Greens welcome more housing
The Green Party is welcoming the announcement by the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop to approve most of the Wellington City Council’s District Plan recommendations. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Backtrack on school lunches a win for Kiwi kids
David Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: Hon Willie Jackson to debate at the Prestigious Oxford Union
Hon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion “This House Believes British Museums are not Very British’ on May 23rd. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Joint statement on the New Zealand – Cook Islands Joint Ministerial Forum – 2024
1. New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rt Hon Winston Peters; Minister of Health and Minister for Pacific Peoples Hon Dr Shane Reti; and Minister for Climate Change Hon Simon Watts hosted Cook Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Hon Tingika Elikana and Minister of Health Hon Vainetutai Rose Toki-Brown on 24 May ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 hours ago

Middle East, Africa deployments extended
The Government has approved two-year extensions for four New Zealand Defence Force deployments to the Middle East and Africa, Defence Minister Judith Collins and Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced today. “These deployments are long-standing New Zealand commitments, which reflect our ongoing interest in promoting peace and stability, and making active ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
20 hours ago

Climate Change Commission Chair to retire
The Climate Change Commission Chair, Dr Rod Carr, has confirmed his plans to retire at the end of his term later this year, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “Prior to the election, Dr Carr advised me he would be retiring when his term concluded. Dr Rod Carr has led ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
22 hours ago

Inaugural Board of Integrity Sport & Recreation Commission announced
Nine highly respected experts have been appointed to the inaugural board of the new Integrity Sport and Recreation Commission, Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Integrity Sport and Recreation Commission is a new independent Crown entity which was established under the Integrity Sport and Recreation Act last year, ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

A balanced Foreign Affairs budget
Foreign Minister Winston Peters confirmed today that Vote Foreign Affairs in Budget 2024 will balance two crucial priorities of the Coalition Government. While Budget 2024 reflects the constrained fiscal environment, the Government also recognises the critical role MFAT plays in keeping New Zealanders safe and prosperous. “Consistent with ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

New social housing places to support families into homes
New social housing funding in Budget 2024 will ensure the Government can continue supporting more families into warm, dry homes from July 2025, Housing Ministers Chris Bishop and Tama Potaka say. “Earlier this week I was proud to announce that Budget 2024 allocates $140 million to fund 1,500 new social ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

New Zealand’s minerals future
Introduction Today, we are sharing a red-letter occasion. A Blackball event on hallowed ground. Today we underscore the importance of our mineral estate. A reminder that our natural resource sector has much to offer. Such a contribution will not come to pass without investment. However, more than money is needed. ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Government sets out vision for minerals future
Increasing national and regional prosperity, providing the minerals needed for new technology and the clean energy transition, and doubling the value of minerals exports are the bold aims of the Government’s vision for the minerals sector. Resources Minister Shane Jones today launched a draft strategy for the minerals sector in ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Government progresses Māori wards legislation
The coalition Government’s legislation to restore the rights of communities to determine whether to introduce Māori wards has passed its first reading in Parliament, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says. “Divisive changes introduced by the previous government denied local communities the ability to determine whether to establish Māori wards.” The ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

First RMA amendment Bill introduced to Parliament
The coalition Government has today introduced legislation to slash the tangle of red and green tape throttling some of New Zealand’s key sectors, including farming, mining and other primary industries. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says the Government is committed to unlocking development and investment while ensuring the environment is ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Government welcomes EPA decision
The decision by Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to approve the continued use of hydrogen cyanamide, known as Hi-Cane, has been welcomed by Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay. “The EPA decision introduces appropriate environmental safeguards which will allow kiwifruit and other growers to use Hi-Cane responsibly,” Ms ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Speech to Employers and Manufacturers Association: Relief for today, hope for tomorrow
Kia ora, Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou kātoa Tāmaki Herenga Waka, Tāmaki Herenga tangata Ngā mihi ki ngā mana whenua o tēnei rohe Ngāti Whātua ō Ōrākei me nga iwi kātoa kua tae mai. Mauriora. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the EMA for hosting this event. Let me acknowledge ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Government invests in 1,500 more social homes
The coalition Government is investing in social housing for New Zealanders who are most in need of a warm dry home, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. Budget 2024 will allocate $140 million in new funding for 1,500 new social housing places to be provided by Community Housing Providers (CHPs), not ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

$24 million boost for Gumboot Friday
Thousands more young New Zealanders will have better access to mental health services as the Government delivers on its commitment to fund the Gumboot Friday initiative, says Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey. “Budget 2024 will provide $24 million over four years to contract the ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill passes first reading
The Coalition Government’s Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill, which will improve tenancy laws and help increase the supply of rental properties, has passed its first reading in Parliament says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The Bill proposes much-needed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 that will remove barriers to increasing private ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Montecassino Commemorative Address, Cassino War Cemetery
Standing here in Cassino War Cemetery, among the graves looking up at the beautiful Abbey of Montecassino, it is hard to imagine the utter devastation left behind by the battles which ended here in May 1944. Hundreds of thousands of shells and bombs of every description left nothing but piled ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

First Reading – Repeal of Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989
I present a legislative statement on the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill Mr. Speaker, I move that the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill be now read a first time. I nominate the Social Services and Community Committee to consider the Bill. Thank you, Mr. ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

First reading of 7AA’s repeal: progress for children
The Bill to repeal Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act has had its first reading in Parliament today. The Bill reaffirms the Coalition Government’s commitment to the care and safety of children in care, says Minister for Children Karen Chhour. “When I became the Minister for Children, I made ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

China Business Summit 2024
Kia ora koutou, good morning, and zao shang hao. Thank you Fran for the opportunity to speak at the 2024 China Business Summit – it’s great to be here today. I’d also like to acknowledge: Simon Bridges - CEO of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. His Excellency Ambassador - Wang ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Assisted depatures from New Caledonia
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed a New Zealand Government plane will head to New Caledonia in the next hour in the first in a series of proposed flights to begin bringing New Zealanders home. “New Zealanders in New Caledonia have faced a challenging few days - and bringing ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Assisted departures from New Caledonia
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed a New Zealand Government plane will head to New Caledonia in the next hour in the first in a series of proposed flights to begin bringing New Zealanders home. “New Zealanders in New Caledonia have faced a challenging few days - and bringing them ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Government to rollout roadside drug testing
The Coalition Government will introduce legislation this year that will enable roadside drug testing as part of our commitment to improve road safety and restore law and order, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Alcohol and drugs are the number one contributing factor in fatal road crashes in New Zealand. In ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Minister responds to review of Kāinga Ora
The Government has announced a series of immediate actions in response to the independent review of Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “Kāinga Ora is a large and important Crown entity, with assets of $45 billion and over $2.5 billion of expenditure each year. It ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Pseudoephedrine back on shelves
Associate Health Minister David Seymour is pleased that Pseudoephedrine can now be purchased by the general public to protect them from winter illness, after the coalition government worked swiftly to change the law and oversaw a fast approval process by Medsafe. “Pharmacies are now putting the medicines back on their ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

New Zealand-China Business Summit
Tēnā koutou katoa. Da jia hao. Good morning everyone. Prime Minister Luxon, your excellency, a great friend of New Zealand and my friend Ambassador Wang, Mayor of what he tells me is the best city in New Zealand, Wayne Brown, the highly respected Fran O’Sullivan, Champion of the Auckland business ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

New measures to protect powerlines from trees
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced that the Government will make it easier for lines firms to take action to remove vegetation from obstructing local powerlines. The change will ensure greater security of electricity supply in local communities, particularly during severe weather events. “Trees or parts of trees falling on ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani win top Māori dairy farming award
Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani were the top winners at this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy awards recognising the best in Māori dairy farming. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka announced the winners and congratulated runners-up, Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board, at an awards celebration also attended by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

DJ Fred Again – Assurance report received
"On the 27th of March, I sought assurances from the Chief Executive, Department of Internal Affairs, that the Department’s correct processes and policies had been followed in regards to a passport application which received media attention,” says Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden. “I raised my concerns after being ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

District Court Judges appointed
Attorney-General Judith Collins has announced the appointment of three new District Court Judges, to replace Judges who have recently retired. Peter James Davey of Auckland has been appointed a District Court Judge with a jury jurisdiction to be based at Whangarei. Mr Davey initially started work as a law clerk/solicitor with ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Unions should put learning ahead of ideology
Associate Education Minister David Seymour is calling on the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) to put ideology to the side and focus on students’ learning, in reaction to the union holding paid teacher meetings across New Zealand about charter schools.    “The PPTA is disrupting schools up and down the ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Craig Stobo appointed as chair of FMA
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly today announced the appointment of Craig Stobo as the new chair of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). Mr Stobo takes over from Mark Todd, whose term expired at the end of April. Mr Stobo’s appointment is for a five-year term. “The FMA plays ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Budget 2024 invests in lifeguards and coastguard
Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Coastguard New Zealand will continue to be able to keep people safe in, on, and around the water following a funding boost of $63.644 million over four years, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “Heading to the beach for ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

New Zealand and Tuvalu reaffirm close relationship
New Zealand and Tuvalu have reaffirmed their close relationship, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says. “New Zealand is committed to working with Tuvalu on a shared vision of resilience, prosperity and security, in close concert with Australia,” says Mr Peters, who last visited Tuvalu in 2019. “It is my pleasure ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

New Zealand calls for calm, constructive dialogue in New Caledonia
New Zealand is gravely concerned about the situation in New Caledonia, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The escalating situation and violent protests in Nouméa are of serious concern across the Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says. “The immediate priority must be for all sides to take steps to de-escalate the ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

New Zealand welcomes Samoa Head of State
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met today with Samoa’s O le Ao o le Malo, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, who is making a State Visit to New Zealand. “His Highness and I reflected on our two countries’ extensive community links, with Samoan–New Zealanders contributing to all areas of our national ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Island Direct eligible for SuperGold Card funding
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has announced that he has approved Waiheke Island ferry operator Island Direct to be eligible for SuperGold Card funding, paving the way for a commercial agreement to bring the operator into the scheme. “Island Direct started operating in November 2023, offering an additional option for people ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Further sanctions against Russia
Foreign Minister Winston Peters today announced further sanctions on 28 individuals and 14 entities providing military and strategic support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Russia is directly supported by its military-industrial complex in its illegal aggression against Ukraine, attacking its sovereignty and territorial integrity. New Zealand condemns all entities and ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

One year on from Loafers Lodge
A year on from the tragedy at Loafers Lodge, the Government is working hard to improve building fire safety, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “I want to share my sincere condolences with the families and friends of the victims on the anniversary of the tragic fire at Loafers ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Pre-Budget speech to Auckland Business Chamber
Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for having me here in the lead up to my Government’s first Budget. Before I get started can I acknowledge: Simon Bridges – Auckland Business Chamber CEO. Steve Jurkovich – Kiwibank CEO. Kids born ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

New Zealand and Vanuatu to deepen collaboration
New Zealand and Vanuatu will enhance collaboration on issues of mutual interest, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “It is important to return to Port Vila this week with a broad, high-level political delegation which demonstrates our deep commitment to New Zealand’s relationship with Vanuatu,” Mr Peters says. “This ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Ours Not Mines Blasts Draft Minerals Plan Saying It Highlights The Current Government Lacks Economic...
This plan lacks any thought on how to drive New Zealand forward. Giving away rare minerals owned by every New Zealander for a measly return of 2.1% to the crown last year is simply ludicrous. ...
Scoop politics
15 mins ago

Forest and Bird leader shut out of Shane Jones meeting by police
A West Coast conservation leader is lodging a complaint with Police after an officer barred her from a public meeting in Blackball, called by Resources Minister Shane Jones. The NZ First politician was in the historic coal-mining town on Thursday to launch the Government’s new draft minerals strategy, promising to ...
NewsroomBy Lois Williams
2 hours ago

The Weekend: Working through life regrets in real time
Editor Madeleine Chapman meets an old rival and wonders what could’ve been. Mōrena and welcome to The Weekend, where dreams and regrets have time and space to flower. What’s the thing in your life that you wish you had given more energy to? It could be a relationship, an exam, ...
The SpinoffBy Madeleine Chapman
8 hours ago

What it takes to be an Olympian and why you don’t have it
This year, Tori Peeters will compete at the Paris Olympics in the javelin. Ten years ago, Madeleine Chapman thought she might be in the same position. She talks to Peeters about what it takes to go all the way and mulls her own life decisions in the process. No New ...
The SpinoffBy Madeleine Chapman
8 hours ago

‘I was absolutely devastated’: Sara Wiseman on the moment she nearly quit acting
The star of High Country talks Tinkerbell, her love for Hawkeye Pierce and why a 98-year-old environmentalist is the most stylish man on television. Sara Wiseman has been a fixture on New Zealand television screens for nearly three decades. First appearing in Hercules and Xena Warrior Princess during the mid ...
The SpinoffBy My Life in TV
8 hours ago

At home with Brett and Angel, Married at First Sight NZ’s ‘fairytale’ couple
Alex Casey takes a trip to Lincoln to visit the only couple from the first season of Married at First Sight NZ that’s still together. To cross the threshold into Brett and Angel’s marital abode is to be greeted with a welcome that sums up the MAFSNZ season one golden ...
The SpinoffBy Alex Casey
8 hours ago

‘There’s no better song to drink coffee to’: Troy Kingi’s perfect weekend playlist
In a new weekly interview series, we ask a different local artist to curate their dream weekend soundtrack. First up: Troy Kingi. Troy Kingi is a man on a well-documented mission to make 10 albums, in 10 genres, over 10 years. But finding himself creatively blocked while making his eighth ...
The SpinoffBy The Spinoff
8 hours ago

In the place I grew up, I am always lost
Reflections on a childhood split across Hong Kong and Auckland. The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. I arrive in Hong Kong with my mother in the middle of summer. t’s not a good time to travel here, she tells me. It’s June. We’re ...
The SpinoffBy Hannah Patterson
9 hours ago

Palestine protesters call for Gaza press ‘solidarity’ at NZ media awards
Pacific Media Watch Pro-Palestinian protesters dressed in blue “press” vests tonight staged a vigil calling on New Zealand journalists to show solidarity with the media of Gaza who have suffered the highest death toll in any war. They staged the vigil at the Viaduct venue of NZ’s annual Voyager Media ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
12 hours ago

Behind job cuts are people, and they’re hurting
Opinion: Outside my house, the autumn breeze blows crisp leaves off trees and leaks through the gap in my ranchslider while I slump on my couch listening to our CEO announcing our restructure. With many ums and ahs, he reads his script, talking of “prioritisation,” “working differently,” and “reconceiving the ...
NewsroomBy Claire Cunningham
13 hours ago

Taiwan’s democratic challenge to China
Just days after Taiwan’s new president called on China to stop making threats, Beijing has launched “punishment” military drills around the island. Everyone was watching to see what China’s reaction to the swearing in of President William Lai Ching-te would be. On Thursday night we found out. China had already ...
NewsroomBy Sharon Brettkelly
13 hours ago

Short story: The End Was Wide Open, by James Pasley
For the past six weeks Annie has been sleeping with a teacher named Patrick Drury. Twice he has tried to call it an affair. Twice she has considered correcting him. But she likes how he looks when he says it. She likes that he’s older than her. That he’s recently ...
NewsroomBy James Pasley
13 hours ago

The Secret Diary of .. Fast-Track Jones
MONDAY Fast-Track Jones stood in the shade beneath an awning of a train station and waited for the 3:10 to Blackball. He narrowed his eyes and studied the view. A water tower. A windmill. A cattle fence. All else was empty land. Locomotive smoke rose over the horizon. The 3:10 ...
NewsroomBy Steve Braunias
13 hours ago

Newsroom wins two leading honours at national journalism awards
A groundbreaking investigative podcast into the death of Gore three-year-old Lachie Jones has won Melanie Reid and Bonnie Sumner two notable awards at the Voyager Media Awards. Their in-depth reporting and nine-part first season of The Boy in the Water, which led to the case being reopened twice and preceded ...
NewsroomBy Newsroom Staff
13 hours ago

Hundreds feared dead after huge landslide in Papua New Guinea
By Eleisha Foon, RNZ Pacific senior journalist Scores of people have died in a huge landslide which has struck a remote village in the Papua New Guinean highlands. The landslide reportedly hit Yambali village in Enga Province, about 600 km north-west of Port Moresby. The landslip has buried homes and ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
14 hours ago

Government extends Defence Force deployments to Middle East and Africa
The extended deployments include supporting UN efforts on contested Israel and Arab country borders. ...
Radio NZ – political
16 hours ago

As COVID cases rise again, what do I need to know about the new FLiRT variants?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lara Herrero, Research Leader in Virology and Infectious Disease, Griffith University Red-Diamond/Shutterstock We’ve now been living with COVID for well over four years. Although there’s still much to learn about SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID) at least one thing seems ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
17 hours ago

Why a new ruling on the law of the sea and climate change matters for Australia and especially our i...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clive Schofield, Professor, Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS), University of Wollongong The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea has found countries are obliged to protect the oceans from climate change impacts under the law of the ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
18 hours ago

The government’s cash splash aims to kickstart Australia’s battery industry. Has it flipped the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Glen Thomas Currie, Energy Systems Program Impact Manager, Climateworks, Monash University, Monash University Basilico Studio Stock, Shutterstock Australia has a new National Battery Strategy, unveiled this week as a key part of the government’s Future Made in Australia agenda. The vision ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
18 hours ago

Heavy water: how melting ice sheets and pumped groundwater can lower local sea levels – and boost...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rebecca McGirr, Postdoctoral research fellow, Australian National University Bernhard Staehli/Shutterstock Imagine you’re standing near the edge of the Antarctic Ice Sheet, gazing out over the ocean, when the ice near you starts to melt very rapidly. A surge of meltwater flows ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
18 hours ago

The Week in Politics: Willis sails against strong headwinds
The Finance Minister prepares to present one of the most difficult budgets, National MP David MacLeod gets himself into trouble and the First Home Buyers Grant is scrapped. ...
Radio NZ – political
20 hours ago

Paul Henry To Address New Zealanders At ACT Rally
ACT's 2024 rally, Change Makers, will take place at Auckland's Viaduct Events Centre at 12:30pm on 9 June. ...
Scoop politics
21 hours ago

Regional Development and Resources Minister's mine visits not publicised
Shane Jones visited two mines on Thursday without revealing it until afterwards - then had a private lunch with mining industry representatives. ...
Radio NZ – political
22 hours ago

Iranian Solidarity Group New Zealand's Meeting With NZ Minister For Foreign Affairs Rt. Hon. Wi...
The Iranian Solidarity Group NZ met with Minister For Foreign Affairs Rt. Hon. Winston Peters, urging the NZ government to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (the IRGC) as a terrorist organisation. The group continues to advocate for justice ...
Scoop politics
22 hours ago

105 Silenced Journalists Of Gaza Honoured Outside Voyager Media Awards
On 24th May, 6pm, Palestinian journalists covering Gaza will be honoured in a silent and visually impactful vigil outside Shed 10, 89 Quay Street, Auckland, where the Voyager Media Awards are being held. ...
Scoop politics
22 hours ago

The Matildas and Socceroos are soaring, while participation is growing – but the A-League is missi...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Harcourt, Industry Professor and Chief Economist, University of Technology Sydney This should be a golden age for Australian soccer. After all, the big picture is good: the Matildas are waltzing, the Socceroos are well supported and Australia was just awarded hosting ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
22 hours ago

The British election is Labour’s to lose. What would the UK–Australia relationship look like und...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Wellings, Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations, Monash University Assuming a Labour win in the UK general election – always a risky assumption given Labour’s proclivity for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory – the “Global Britain” bombast emanating ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
22 hours ago

A rush on critical minerals is coming for our most remote and disadvantaged communities
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Deanna Kemp, Professor and Director, Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, The University of Queensland King Ropes Access, Shutterstock The Australian mining industry was promised billions of dollars in last week’s federal budget to boost critical minerals such as lithium, copper ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
22 hours ago

Greens Justice Spokesperson Tamatha Paul To Join Protest Against Waikeria ‘Megaprison’ At Mount ...
The community group People Against Prisons Aotearoa is holding a protest against mass incarceration tomorrow against the Government’s proposed expansion of Waikeria prison. ...
Scoop politics
23 hours ago

Labour MP Willie Jackson becomes first Māori to take part in Oxford Union debate
He is the first MP since former prime minister David Lange to be asked to debate at Oxford. ...
Radio NZ – political
23 hours ago

What OpenAI’s deal with News Corp means for journalism (and for you)
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By T.J. Thomson, Senior Lecturer in Visual Communication & Digital Media, RMIT University Shutterstock OpenAI, the makers of ChatGPT, and News Corp, the international media conglomerate, have signed a deal that will let OpenAI use and learn from News Corp’s content. In ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
23 hours ago

What is a virtual emergency department? And when should you ‘visit’ one?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jaimon Kelly, Senior Research Fellow in Telehealth delivered health services, The University of Queensland Shutterstock/Nils Versemann For many Australians the emergency department (ED) is the physical and emblematic front door to accessing urgent health-care services. But health-care services are evolving rapidly ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
23 hours ago

Married at First Sight NZ pops the question: can the relaunch put a winning Kiwi spin on the global ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rebecca Trelease, Senior Lecturer in Communication Studies, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images Following the hugely successful recent season of Married At First Sight (MAFS) Australia, fans of the format – and the reality romance genre in general – will be ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
23 hours ago

All surface, no substance. Kids will probably love Beings at ACMI. Pity about the rest of us
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dominic Redfern, Associate Professor, School of Art, RMIT University We Are All Unique by Universal Everything commissioned by Hyundai Motorstudio Senayan Park in Beings at ACMI. Image by Michelle Tran At this week’s launch of Beings by Universal Everything, ACMI board member ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
23 hours ago

‘People need to buckle up’: The experts reveal what to expect in MAFS NZ
As Married at First Sight New Zealand returns to our screens this Sunday, Tara Ward speaks to the show’s new relationship experts about what lies ahead. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. John Aiken is teasing Jo Robertson about her cup of ...
The SpinoffBy Tara Ward
24 hours ago

The Friday Poem: ‘The body’s score’ by Erin Donohue
A new poem by Wellington writer Erin Donohue. The body’s score Here is what happens if you starve yourself for years. Your body will forget herself. She will have to learn new how a heart beats and she will not get it right. She will need MRIs and a quiet ...
The SpinoffBy Erin Donohue
24 hours ago

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending May 24
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (Picador, $25) A charming, smash-hit book about ...
The SpinoffBy The Spinoff Review of Books
24 hours ago

Select Committee aged care inquiry to begin by July
The coalition has confirmed the Health Select Committee will carry out an inquiry into aged care. ...
Radio NZ – political
24 hours ago

Media fuss over stranded tourists, but Kanaks face existential struggle
COMMENTARY: By Eugene Doyle “Only the struggle counts . . . death is nothing.” Éloi Machoro — “the Che Guevara of the Pacific” — said this shortly before he was gunned down by a French sniper on 12 January 1985. Machoro, one of the leaders of the newly-formed FLNKS (Kanak ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
1 day ago

We analysed 30 years of Australian media articles – and unearthed some glaring gaps in the coverag...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexandra Wake, Associate Professor, Journalism, RMIT University Photo by Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels The news media play a vital role in shaping the public conversation and covering complex issues such as war, the economy, climate change and technology. Yet our new research ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

How Narendra Modi’s cult of personality was formed by a powerful Hindu nationalist group with a da...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Aviroop Gupta, PhD Candidate, Curtin University Narendra Modi’s right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has resorted to religious polarisation as it tries to rally its Hindu nationalist base in India’s ongoing general election, which ends on June 1. Just days after voting started ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Kids or no kids, Don’t Lick That is ‘masterful’ mum comedy you need to see
Lana Walters’ new show is playing in Auckland for the NZ International Comedy Festival. Madeleine Holden (a parent) and Liv Sisson (not) went along to review. I hadn’t heard of comedian Lana Walters until a colleague posted the following message in one of The Spinoff’s Slack channels: “Has anyone been ...
The SpinoffBy Madeleine Holden
1 day ago

You leave a ‘microbe fingerprint’ on every piece of clothing you wear – and it could help fore...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paola A. Magni, Associate Professor of Forensic Science, Murdoch University Microgen / Shutterstock When you think of a criminal investigation, you might picture detectives meticulously collecting and analysing evidence found at the scene: weapons, biological fluids, footprints and fingerprints. However, this ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Will Lost ETS Revenue Result In $800 Million Hole In Tax Cut Plan And New Borrowing?
Recent price falls in the New Zealand market for carbon credits leaves the Government facing the prospect of a significant loss of revenue from carbon auctions this year. The March financial statements from Treasury highlight lower-than-expected revenue ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

MFAT cuts spending by less than 1 percent
The ministry has found $15 million a year in back-office savings, but is putting an equal amount in new spending for refurbishments. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Kanaky New Caledonia unrest: Macron ends day of political talks with both sides
ANALYSIS: By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk French President Emmanuel Macron has ended a meeting-packed whirlwind day in New Caledonia with back-to-back sessions including opposing leaders in the French Pacific territory. Macron left New Caledonia this morning, leaving some members of his entourage to deal with details ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
1 day ago

Pacific diplomatic posts to get $60m infrastructure upgrade
The ministry has also found $15 million a year in back-office savings, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Govt's Mineral Strategy An Environmental Disaster In The Making
"The government's 'Draft Mineral Strategy' released this week by Minister for Resources Shane Jones is a disaster in the making for the environment, the climate and people as more and more rural communities will have to battle these companies ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

A rescue plan for an oddball native plant
Behind the pretty flower beds at Auckland Botanic Gardens, conservation mahi is under way for the region’s 357 threatened plants. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. At Auckland Botanic Gardens, conservation specialist Ella Rawcliffe has been trying to plant a seed that’s smaller ...
The SpinoffBy Ellen Rykers
1 day ago

Ministers give more detail on new social housing plans
Housing Ministers Chris Bishop and Tama Potaka have given more detail on how new social housing places will be contracted ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Political editors panel: MP's donations, housing dramas
RNZ Political Editor Jo Moir and Political Reporter Katie Scotcher discuss messy housing announcements and donations drama. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

What I learned about money from scrutinising where MPs hold theirs
One financial hopeful looks to MPs for inspiration on how to be savvy with money. As a person whose search history includes “easy ways to make money” and “what should I do with $1,000 savings”, my interest was piqued when parliament released the pecuniary interests register this week. Since 2005, ...
The SpinoffBy Gabi Lardies
1 day ago

Mike King was unaware of chairperson's links to National Party
The comedian says Naomi Ballantyne can donate money to whoever she wants. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Watch live: Ministers give more detail on new social housing plans
Housing Ministers Chris Bishop and Tama Potaka have given more detail on how new social housing places will be contracted. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

$2 billion Kāinga Ora programme buys three pieces of land, but no construction confirmed
The sites include a 95-hectare Tauranga farm and a site on Wellington's busy Adelaide Road. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Drug companies pay doctors over A$11 million a year for travel and education. Here’s which special...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Barbara Mintzes, Professor, School of Pharmacy and Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney Monster Ztudio/Shutterstock Drug companies are paying Australian doctors millions of dollars a year to fly to overseas conferences and meetings, give talks to other doctors, and to serve ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Why knock down all public housing towers when retrofit can sometimes be better?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Trivess Moore, Associate Professor, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University The Victorian government is planning Australia’s largest urban renewal project. The plan is to knock down and rebuild 44 large public housing towers in Melbourne. The government says these ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

A new ruling says countries – including NZ – must take action on climate change under the law of...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karen Scott, Professor in Law, University of Canterbury Christian Charisius/dpa/Getty Images In a significant development for small island nations threatened by rising seas, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) has found greenhouse gases constitute marine pollution. The ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Life’s big moments can impact an entrepreneur’s success – but not always in the way you’d ex...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Pi-Shen Seet, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Edith Cowan University William Fortunato/Pexels Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of any innovative economy. New business creation has been shown to have a significant and positive impact on economic growth, innovation and job creation. ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

How First Nations fashion design can rewrite painful memories and be a powerful method of healing
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Treena Clark, Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Indigenous Research Fellow, Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building, University of Technology Sydney Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains names, images and stories of deceased people. Around the world, fashion researchers, ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Our mental health crisis, and the $24m questions
Gumboot Friday pocketed a significant budget boost this week, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in this extract from The Bulletin, but concerns have been raised over transparency. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
1 day ago

Politicians vs farmers in fundraiser rugby match in Gisborne
Politicians and farmers are aiming to raise $300,000 to help farmers affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

NZ companies could benefit from US military space strategy, documents show
NZ supports a US defence strategy to get hold of commercial space tech in a conflict, according to briefing papers. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Where is she now? Lorraine Moller
It’s 40 years since Lorraine Moller and her peers broke a glass ceiling at the Los Angeles Olympics. The Games in 1984 saw the inclusion of the women’s marathon for the first time and for Moller, then 29, it was the first of four consecutive appearances in the Olympic race ...
NewsroomBy Aiden McLaughlin
1 day ago

Government's mining proposal an attack on NZ environment – Forest and Bird
The plan could harm Aotearoa's biodiversity and clean green image, environmental group says. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Why are book festivals thriving while the publishing industry is struggling?
While New Zealand writers festivals are reporting record audiences, booksellers and publishers are struggling under financial pressure. Books editor Claire Mabey looks at the challenges faced by the industry, and what can be done about it. Last week the Auckland Writers Festival broke all attendance records with more than 85,000 ...
The SpinoffBy Claire Mabey
1 day ago

The media is in crisis… and I just bought a magazine
When the publisher of NZ Lifestyle Block announced it was closing down, its editor had a scary decision to make. Michael Andrew tells what happened next. At three in the morning a few months ago, I sat at my desk with two windows open on my computer. One was a ...
The SpinoffBy Michael Andrew
1 day ago

Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 24 May
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A,DIV,A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 24 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles
1 day ago

Wellington’s urban density balancing act
Opinion: Wellington recently passed a new ambitious district plan, which paves the way for increased housing density in the city. But as Wellington embraces opportunities for urban intensification, it also needs to consider how this shift will affect residents’ lives. Key to ensuring urban development does not adversely affect health ...
NewsroomBy Mirjam Schindler and Eva Neely
1 day ago

The Great Game resumes on public housing
Sir Bill English’s Kāinga Ora review looked way beyond its financial troubles to propose a new social housing system, harking back to his own government The post The Great Game resumes on public housing appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Tim Murphy
1 day ago

Daily crossword, Friday 24 May
The post Daily crossword, Friday 24 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles
1 day ago

Government looks to scrap tax incentive for utes
Revenue Minister Simon Watts has asked tax officials to work to remove a perceived tax incentive for double-cab utes as part of a larger re-working of fringe benefit tax (FBT). In a briefing released to Newsroom under the Official Information Act, the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) laid out two options ...
NewsroomBy Marc Daalder
1 day ago

Defence Force slashes study support scheme
The NZDF has cut funding in half for a scheme to help personnel study on the job The post Defence Force slashes study support scheme appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Sam Sachdeva
1 day ago

Outgoing ERA member shreds ‘unstuck’ restaurant owners in 19-year first
In a stunning summary of what appears to have been one of the worst hearings of his 19 years as an ERA member, Michael Loftus has ordered a $100k penalty against the owners of a Hamilton restaurant The post Outgoing ERA member shreds ‘unstuck’ restaurant owners in 19-year first appeared ...
NewsroomBy Emma Hatton
1 day ago

This week’s bestselling books – May 24
FICTION 1 The Bone Tree by Airana Ngarewa (Hachette, $37,99) Sales of the author’s 2023 novel went through the roof after he appeared at the Auckland Writers Festival in the weekend. A witness at Ngarewa’s event commented, “It’s the schools and adult combo – not many authors traverse both. Airana ...
NewsroomBy Steve Braunias
1 day ago

Why Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Death Matters Here

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